| − | A neutron is the neutral particle in an atom's nucleus. It is formed when an electron is crushed into a proton in a neutron star. It is the "glue" that keeps the positive protons in the nucleus from being pushed apart from each other by their like charges. A lack or excess of neutrons causes an atom to become unstable. | + | A '''neutron''' is the neutral particle in an atom's nucleus. It is formed when an electron is crushed into a proton in a neutron star; as such, it is the same weight as one proton and one electron together. It is the "glue" that keeps the positive protons in the nucleus from being pushed apart from each other by their like charges. A lack or excess of neutrons causes an atom to become unstable; [[beta radiation]] is the loss of one neutron by turning into one proton and one electron. |